The NBA has been hit by a major betting scandal involving key figures, showing how gambling threatens the league. In October 2025, the FBI announced federal charges against more than 30 people, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, and former player/assistant Damon Jones. They used insider information to fix bets in at least seven games from 2023 to 2024. Examples include Rozier leaving a Hornets-Pelicans game early in March 2023 and Jones sharing injury details about LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Lakers games. The group made hundreds of thousands in illegal profits. This follows the 2024 lifetime ban of Jontay Porter for similar prop bet schemes. The facts show the problem is serious, but the main focus should be on what the NBA must do to stop these incidents and protect the game’s core—fair competition without manipulation.

The NBA’s main responsibility is to maintain the integrity of basketball, the aspect that connects fans through genuine competition. Betting creates risks that damage this. Rozier’s alleged fake injury to meet bet unders erodes confidence that players compete fully. The league must take strong action to remove any incentive for unfair play. Protecting the game’s identity means focusing on the achievements of players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, built on honest effort, rather than risks from gambling scandals. Going forward, the NBA has committed to a complete review of its policies to reduce these issues. On October 27, 2025, a memo to all 30 teams outlined plans to assess legal sports betting regulations, particularly limiting individual prop bets that can be manipulated without affecting game results. Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized protecting NBA integrity and proposed working with federal regulators for a national system with required monitoring of unusual betting patterns.

A primary step is improving injury reporting, which was exploited in the scandal. Public reports are currently vulnerable to leaks, as seen with Jones using coach access to inform bettors. The NBA will implement stricter rules: reports with timestamps, access limited to essential staff, and independent audits to detect leaks. The league will also increase use of AI and monitoring tools like those from U.S. Integrity, which identified issues in Rozier’s case in real time. These tools will track betting activity across platforms and flag suspicious patterns linked to insider information.

Education and training for all NBA staff will be a key part of the plan. Awareness helps prevent problems. Annual required programs, similar to anti-doping sessions, will cover ethical decisions, gambling risks, and support for financial pressures, especially for lower-paid players. The code of conduct will be updated with tougher penalties: indefinite suspensions or lifetime bans for any leaks, and requirements to report threats from bettors, like messages received by some coaches. This will create a system of accountability.

Player protection is another focus. The NBA will add security measures, such as escorts at hotels and monitoring of social media for gambler threats. Working with the players’ union, the league will provide confidential mental health support to handle betting-related stress. Sensitive data will be restricted in official betting apps like MGM and DraftKings to reduce manipulation risks. The goal is to keep attention on the sport, not betting odds.

U.S. pro sports leagues, including the NBA, partner with betting companies for financial reasons. After the 2018 Supreme Court decision ended the federal betting ban, over $150 billion was wagered in 2024. NBA deals with firms like MGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel bring in hundreds of millions yearly through data sales, branding, and ads. This funds salaries, expansions, and a $76 billion TV rights deal over 11 years. Betting companies gain real-time data and credibility, while leagues reach younger fans with in-game promotions.

In summary, the scandal is a major challenge, but it gives the NBA a chance to strengthen rules. With better regulations, technology, training, and player support, the league can reduce illegal betting and protect basketball’s integrity. Sponsorships with betting firms will continue, but they must not override the focus on fair play. If the NBA follows through, this issue can lead to a cleaner, more trusted game.